The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1887-03-17
THE BASILISK.
A STORY OF TO-DAY.
CHAPTER XxvI.


Faster and faster the train went on,
leaving my bafilcd pursuers gesticulat-
ing in impotent rage and confusion up
on the bridge, which they had regarded
rs the certain trap for my life. l bad
fallen, fortunately. upon truck which
was laden with some comparatively soft
goods-bales Of some sort, | Judged
and the tarpaulin covering which
was stretched over them served
to break in some measure the
force of my fall. | was safe-frce!
The exquisit sense of relief which this
reflection brought with it was checked
almost simultaneously by the thought
Of the terrible difficulties which inter-
posed to hinder the release of Mary
from the clutches Of Plowitz. All !
knew was that he was osfensibly going
to Pyrmont But was that likely to be
rue9 Why should l believe what the
Basilisk had told me? To be sure, she
had no idea then that should SO soon
be at liberty. It was possible, there
fore, that, with taste for the infliction
of fine torture, she had given me the
real destination of the travellers, enjoy
ing the helplessness which she believed
would render the knowledge Of no
avail to me. Yes. it was at least highly
probable that they really were bound
for Pyrmont. and this thought cheered
me and heartened me again.
/ now had time to reflect upon my
own position. However desperate my
previous plight, the sense Of safety
brought with it the thought of the ordi-
nary everyday world to which was
returning, aud l remembered that if |
were discovered by the railway authori-
ties. delay, inquiries. and publicity
would in all likelihood ensue. These
was anxious to avoid. Nor did l relish
the idea of appearing the centre of a
critical crowd of porters and laborers.
in my present guise--in evening-dress
and without hat. We were approach
ing a station. The signals gave
the line clear, and we ran
through at fair pace. could see the
name or the lamps of the platform, and
this brought back to my mind the one
obvious haven of immediate refuge, if
could escape from the train unobserv-
ed. the safe reference to avoid delay if /
were discovcred-St Bartimeus' Home,
and DR.. Shaw. The station / recog-
Missed by name as being one from which
visitors used often to come TO the Home
on the occasion of our concerts.
As ran my plans over, the engine
gave loud whistle. and almost inlme-
diately the train slackened speed. /
looked ahead, and saw the red lamp on
q near signal post fixed against us.
Would the train stop? No. The
color changed, and. with a short
whistle as If of acknowledgment,
the engine began to puff heavily again.
A station was close ahead. Again we
slackened. The signal there was
against US. There were numerous lights
of houses and lamps to he seen around.
We were well IN the inhabited region
Of the northwestern suburbs. If the
train slackened sufficiently to enable
me to descend with safety l resolved to
attempt it. This time there was no re-
lenting in the glare of the red eye that
was stopping our progress. Slower and
slower got the pace. | locked heed
fully about. No one was in sight ex-
cept at some distance in front, on the
station-platform. dropped from the
truck, and keeping under cover.
managed to reach the side of
the line unobservcd. Walking a
little distance. / came TO prac-
ticable gap IN the hedge which lined the
railway, and stood at last upon the
road. At some little distance saw the
entrance to the station and, to nv
great relief. discovered several cal 8
waiting. Brushing myself as well as l
could, to remove some of the most evil
dent traces OF my recent adventures, ]
went along the road and gained the
portico of the station unobseryed.
NY shout of ..Hansom!' and nv APP
pearance seemed to cause considerable
establishment to the two drivers who,
not expecting any fare till the arrival
of the train which they were awaiting,
were engaged in an engrossing CONVEX
sation with twoor three friends in front OF
the brightly lighted station hotel on
the other side Of the way. Nv
condition. however, was no concern Of
the driver 5. and. though had no doubt
that he took mental note of all the
circumstances in view of future en-
quiries by the police for anyone answer
Ing to my description, he simply
gathered up the reins. and drove of
towards st. Bartimeus's. 1t was get
ting on for eleven o'clock when we
arrived there. There was light in
one or two of the windows still. Shaw,
remembered, was never very early q
night.
rang the bell, and waited short
time. Probably the servants had gone
to bed. Then heard the sound oi
slippered feet coming across the hall,
the door was opened. and l stood face
to face with Shaw himself.
..Coplestone!''
never saw or imagined more sur
prise in any face than that which was
expressed in DIR. Shaw's, which / now
bcheld for the first time.
"Good Hcayens!w what has happened?'
he went on. dragging me in. and
leaving the door open in his astonish
ment.
"A great deal has happened" be
gan. "And want your help at once.
MY dear fellow he said warmly
grasping my hand with one Of his. an.
slamn.ing the door with the other
..you shall have it. Come into M
study. Why, what's the matter wit
your eyes? You are not blind!''
mo, thank God, l ann mot
If / were, should not b.
in position to ask your help in pre-
venting one crime, in exposing an
nuniShjnp others